Most of the time I’m pleased that our choices in alternative supplements rest with just us, and not the FDA or some other government agency until I read an ad for a “burpless Omega 3.”

If the majority of Americans are expecting a “burp” to be part and parcel of taking fish oil, my heart plummets for what does this say? We’ve come to expect it? If you are suffering indigestion from fish oil, toss it out! It’s not your digestive tract nor does it happen with good oil. It’s the oil! The source of the burp is one of several things – the oil’s purity is in question, or it sat in 50 gallon drums in hot warehouses waiting sometimes as long as six months before it is placed into consumable form, i.e., a capsule, or the quality was harmed either in oxidation or lack thereof.

I’ve been reading information today from purveyors of fish oil in large quantities, how the cost is on the rise from the demand, fish being farmed to meet the supply (that won’t have EPA or DHA), and knowing the statistics of consumption, this is not true. But, as with gasoline, prices rise when we want something in a big way. Maybe the demand is coming from other countries but certainly not America. Even though we all know we need fish oil, only 8% of Americans take a fish oil supplement. And of those 8%, about 99% are purchasing a product that is food grade quality because they don’t know there’s a difference between food grade and pharmaceutical grade. Or the label clearly says pharmaceutical grade but when the capsule is pricked, the odor reveals the source of their “burping.”

Over the past few weeks, I’ve emailed 8 of the most popular seller’s of fish oil – popular only because they do the most advertising. They are not manufacturers of their oil yet they claim to be. I asked but two questions, what is the source of your fish, do you own your lab and where is your lab located. I’m still waiting for a reply.

Omega 3 EPA DHA is one of the most important supplements you can add today yet 99% of the 8% who do buy it are purchasing supplements unaware of the importance of the source of fish – it must be fatty to have the levels of EPA and DHA that promote healing. It’s essential for pregnant women, children, men, women, adults, and aging seniors. Why? Because we were designed to eat fish and we’ve systematically removed it from our diet consuming instead soybean oil, flax seed oil, polyunsaturated oil, hydrogenated oils, in huge quantities. Never mind the calories for now although that is important, too, but it’s more than that. We are filled with chronic inflammation from an overabundance of all these seed oils.

If we only consumed a bit here and there of the various oils, we’d be fine as long as we added just as much oil from fish but we don’t and Americans are paying the price in their health. The statistics are overwhelmingly true – 3 out of 4 Americans have either chronic pain, depression or a diet related disease. If two years ago, the statistics were 2 out of 3, and now its 3 out of 4, we have an enormous problem.

Find a good source of fish oil. If it makes you burp, toss it out. Make sure it’s pure liquid, not capsuled, gelled, or any other covering that hides taste, texture and color. It is extremely difficult to manufacture a good source of fish oil in liquid form and a very delicate process that requires skill and molecular distillation. Because of the complexity of the process, and the fatty fish themselves, it’s going to cost more than a $15.00 bottle for a two months supply of capsules. If it comes in a glass bottle, you’re on the right track. If it’s a pure fatty fish, you’re doing good. Cod is a lean fish and while it is beneficial in many ways, studies show the EPA and DHA in lean fish do not have the healing benefits of fatty fish. And blended fish is just that, a hodgepodge.

If you should email or call the seller of your fish oil and receive a response, ask the right questions. Your health depends upon it.

Lois Smithers spent years researching Omega 3’s and other sea-based health solutions. A former equestrian who suffered competition injuries, she credits Omega 3 with ending painful chronic inflammation from two fractured vertebra. With Deb Morgan, they own Sea-Based Health, LLC, focusing on the latest Omega 3 research and sea-based solutions for today’s health issues. Get amazing health tips and recommended products- seabasedhealth.com seabasedhealth.com

Anorexia is something more drastic than just a problem with food. It is a strange way of using food, body weight or starving oneself to feel more in charge of one’s life, to ease nervousness, anger, and anxiety. Most people with anorexia are females.

Anorexia nervosa can be termed as a psychiatric disorder.

What is anorexia?

People with anorexia have an intense fear of being fat. Their abnormal eating habits develop from this panic psychosis. This cycle of self-starvation gradually becomes an obsession, which in severe cases becomes life threatening.

The person suffering from anorexia is usually 15% below his/her ideal weight and still considers him overweight. He hardly eats at all - may even weigh food before eating it. A person with anorexia will avoid high-calorie foods and exercise constantly.

Anorexia is an eating disorder where people, especially the teen group (adolescent girls) starve themselves – the main reason is to lose weight and turn lean. Anorexia usually begins in young people around the onset of puberty. Weight loss is obtained by many ways – some harmful also. The common techniques used are excessive exercise, intake of laxatives/ diet pills, vomiting after a meal and starving oneself to limitless extent.

People with anorexia continue to think they are overweight, and will resort to dieting even after they become extremely thin.

Symptoms:

There are many symptoms for anorexia; not all individuals may experience similar symptoms. The common symptoms include a body weight that is inconsistent with age, build and height (usually 15% below normal weight).

Other symptoms include:

• Constant exercise

• Loss of hair on head

• Fatigue and muscle tiredness, headaches

• Obsession with food and calories

• Irregular menstruation in women – loss of atleast 3 menstrual periods

• Amenorrhea (loss of menstruation)

• Unusual eating habits (ie. cutting food into tiny pieces, picking at food)

• Mood swings

• Anaemia

• Loss of hair on head

• Fine downy hairs on face, neck, back

• Dizziness

• Pale complexion, dehydration

What are the risks of anorexia?

There are many biological and psychological risks associated with anorexia nervosa. They include shrunken bones, mineral loss, low body temperature, irregular heartbeat, debility of the brain due to lack of nutrients, permanent retardation of normal body growth, development of osteoporosis.

People who do not receive treatment may become chronically ill or even die in severe cases.
Continued use of laxatives is extremely harmful for the body. It gradually wears out the bowel muscles and causes a decrease in its functional ability. Some laxatives may also contain harsh and toxic substances that may be reabsorbed into the body.

Long spells without adequate intake of food can cause fragile bones leading to osteoporosis, as well as damage to the heart, liver, kidneys and brain.

Anorexia can impede normal growth in the young, adolescents and cause difficulties in concentration.
People with anorexia nervosa may also experience mental health problems such as depression and increased risk of suicide.

Common causes of anorexia -

Until today, no definite and single cause of anorexia nervosa has been determined. It is likely that both inherent biological factors and factors in the person’s social environment play an integral part in its development. Some experts feel that demands from peer pressure, society and families could possibly be underlying stress causes for anorexia.

Some believed causes include:

• Frightened about getting fat

• An obsessive and constant thinking about their weight, especially losing weight.

• Demonstration effect - If you have a mother or sister with anorexia, you are more likely to develop the disorder.

• Perpetual fear of putting on weight

• Emotional problems

• Stressful events - traumatic events like rape, assault, puberty, death in the family as well as other stressful things like starting a new job, can lead to the onset of anorexia.

• Pressure to be thin and attractive, because of a poor self image, and also to fit into a certain ideal of beauty.

• Dysfunction in the part of the brain, which regulates certain metabolic processes.

• Genes, hormones and family history

How is anorexia nervosa treated?

Treatment of anorexia varies depending on the individual circumstances. There is no one single line of treatment. The initial treatment for anorexia is usually focused on immediate weight gain, especially with those who have particularly serious conditions that requires hospitalisation.

Psycho-therapy is also an effective form of treatment and can lead to restoration of weight, return of menstrual periods in female patients, improved psychological self-image and normal social functioning.

Treatment for anorexia, which includes drugs and psychological support, aims to:

• Bring back the person to a healthy, normal weight.

• Re-instate normal food habits.

• Treat any physical complication or associated mental, psychological problems.

• Bring in family support to treat the condition.

In some cases, medication such as anti-depressants may be necessary, especially people with severe depression or serious obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms.

Anorexia nervosa is a potentially life-threatening illness, and should be treated as soon as possible.

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